Accessory trim for free-standing kitchen appliance



INVENTOR. GEORGE A. SCOTT HLS ATTORNEY G. A. SCOTT 3,169,518

ACCESSORY TRIM FOR FREE-STANDING KITCHEN APPLIANCE Filed Oct. 23, 1963 Feb. 16, 1965 United States Patent 3,169,518 AKICESSGRY TREE/i FOR FREE-STANDEPJG KITCHEN APPLEAN George A. Scott, Jeft'ersontown, Ky., assignor to General Electric (Iornpany, a corporation of New York Filed Get. 23, 1%.), Ser. No. 318,369 7 Claims. (=31. rzs-se The present invention relates to a free-standing kitchen appliance such as .a domestic range that is adapted to be positioned in a notched-out or separated kitchen cabinet and countertop structure, and particularly to the design of trim members to be assembled around the sides of the range so as to close the gap between the range and the adjacent edges of the countertop.

There is a definite trend in the design of kitchen appliances to provide where possible a built-in appearance by building many of the major appliances into a wall or by notching out or separating the kitchen cabinet and countertop structure for receiving such an appliance. The trend toward a one-piece built-in range incorporating a combined cooktop and oven was pioneered by the design of the Nielsen Patent 3,05 1,160 which is assigned to the General Electric Company, the assignee of the present invention. In the Nielsen design, the range was solely a built-in model in that it could not stand on the floor, but was adapted to be suspended from the countertop. A more universal design would be to provide a range that could either be used as a free-standing range or one that could be adapted to appear as if it were built into the kitchen counter. Such is the case of the range of the present invention, where the range is presented as being a freestanding model with a cabinet-matching panel under the oven door and special trim members attached to the range to bridge the gap between the edges of the cooktop and the adjacent edges of the notched countertop.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide easily assembled trim members for the edges of the top cover of a free-standing kitchen appliance that is adapted to be positioned within a notched-out or separated kitchen cabinet and countertop structure so as to present the appearance of a built-in appliance.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an appliance of the class described where each side edge of the top cover is provided with both a side trim member and an adjustable front trim member serving as an extension of the side trim, there being means for fastening one end of the front trim to the underside of the countertop.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a free-standing appliance of the class described with adjustable trim members along the top edges thereof to compensate for differences in counter thickness, the contour of the front edge of the countertop, as well as the front-to-back positioning of the appliance in the countertop.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an appliance of the class described wherein the front .trim is adjustably mounted in both a longitudinal and a transverse direction with respect to the side trim member with stabilizing means being provided on the front trim so as to retain the front trim in proper position.

The present invention, in accordance with one form thereof, embodies a free-standing kitchen appliance such as a domestic range comprising a combined top cover or cooktop and lower compartment or oven body, there being a small gap between the cover and lower compartment along at least three sides thereof. A side trim member is assembled in the gap at each side of the range and perhaps along the back side thereof, and the trim includes a wide top flange overlying the side edge of the cover as well as being adapted to overlie the adjacent side edge of a notched or separated countertop in which the appliance ice is to be positioned. Each side trim member stops short of the front edge of the cover, and there is a front extension trim that is adjustably mounted with respect to the side trim member and engageable therewith. This front trim member is adapted to extend down and under the front edge of the countertop, and fastening means are provided to attach the end of the front trim to the underside of the countertop.

My invention will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing and its scope will be pointed out in the appending claims.

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a free-standing electric range positioned within a notched-out kitchen cabinet and countertop structure, and showing adjustable trim members along three of the side edges of the top of the range as is embodied by the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary view of the left side, top front corner of the range of FIGURE 1 showing the front extension trim member inserted into the side trim member prior to the time the front trim is formed down and under the front edge of the countertop for fastening thereto;

FIGURE 3 is an exploded view of the side trim member and front extension trim member similar to that of FIGURE 2 except the front trim has been removed from the side trim to convey the idea of the longitudinal adjustability of the two members aswell as the cross-sectional configuration of the side trim member;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the left top front corner of the range of FIGURE 1 taken from below the countertop to show one means for fastening the end of the front extension trim member to the underside of the countertop.

FIGURE 5 is a detailed cross-sectional view taken on the line 55 of FIGURE 2 to show the method of clipping the side trim member into the gap separating the cooktop from the oven body, and also the nature of the stabilizing tabs on the front trim member to hold the front trim tightly against the side wall of the cooktop.

Turning to a consideration of the drawing and in particular to FIGURE 1, there is shown a typical kitchen counter cabinet 10 that comes in modular sections containing various features such as a utensil drawer 11 and storage compartment 12 and including a flat continuous countertop 13 of laminated plastic material or the like such as Textolite assembled over a wooden base (not shown). The back edge of the countertop 13 is provided with a raised molding 14 so as to prevent the spillage of liquids or food crumbs behind the cabinet 10. Also, the lower edge of the front of the cabinet is recessed as at 15 so as to provide a recessed toe kick that allows a person to stand close to the front of the counter with the feet partially underlying the front wall of the cabinet.

An electric range 17 has been illustrated as being positioned within the kitchen cabinet 16, but it will readily be apparent to those skilled in this art that the type of heating means for the range is not critical as it could be a gas range as well. Also, there is nothing to limit the use of this invention to the range art for it could be used with other free-standing kitchen appliances such as automatic washers and dryers, automatic dishwashers, compact refrigerators, and perhaps domestic incinerators and hot water heaters. The front wall of the cabinet 19 is notched from the top edge down to the floor, While the countertop 13 is notched from its front edge if back to an edge that is spaced about one or two inches forward of the molding 14. Notice that the cabinet 16 also includes side walls such as side wall 20 which would be seen if the cabinet were located at the end of a run of cabinets near a door or walkway. Also, similar side walls are needed throughout the length of the cabinet so as to strengthen the cabinet structure as well as to support the countertop 13 and the various storage shelves provided in the storage compartments 12. Admittedly another alternative would be to spread the cabinet sections apart to form a niche for the range. The continuous molding 14 could be retained, but the cost of a large section of countertop 13 could be saved as well as the cost and labor of the notched cabinet by using separated cabinet modules.

The range 1'7 has a top cooking surface or cooktop 22 and an underlying oven 23 with a front-opening drop door 24. The cooktop 22 is provided with a plurality of heating means 25 that could either be surface heating elements or gas burners. Along the front edge of the cooktop 22 is a backwardly inclined control panel 26 in which are mounted the necessary heating controls such as the oven selector switch 27, oven thermostat 28 and four multiple pushbutton switches 29 for controlling the surface heating means 25. As shown in FIGURE 5, there is a slight gap 51 between the bottom of the cooktop 22 and the top of the oven body 23 and this gap extends around the three sides of the range body, while on the front sideof the range it is present beneath the control panel 25 and adjacent the top edge of the oven door 24. Beneath the oven 23 the range supports a dummy panel 32 of brushed chrome which is easily removable and replaceable with a panel matching the wood of the cabinet 18 that may be installed by using special mounting clips (not shown) that are furnished with the range. It is the use of this matching wood panel that definitely distinguishes this range 17 as a built-in model.

The range 17 is adapted to be pushed into the notchedout or separated kitchen cabinet 10, and for this reason there must be suitable clearance between the opposite edges of the countertop and the adjacent Sides of the range. The range is supplied with an accessory trim which when installed will close the clearance gaps at the three sides of the range. This not only provides a better appearance but it serves the utilitarian function of preventing liquids and food crumbs from falling into the gaps and thereby defying recovery unless the range is pulled out from the counter. The three sides of the cooktop 2-2 of the range are provided with trim members 34, 35 and 35 of similar configuration for covering the left side, the back side, and the right side respectively as is best seen in the fully assembled view of FIGURE 1. Looking at FIGURE 3, the cross-sectional configuration of the trim member 34 is shown as a generally T-shapcd member with a relatively wide top flange 37, a vertical shank 33 as well as a side-turned flange 39 extending from the lower edge of the T. The outermost edge of this side flange 39 has a reentrant end 4t? of doubled-over construction to provide a Wedge shape that is adapted to be engaged within the gap 31 between the cooktop and the oven body. A preferred embodiment has the trim members 344:6 formed of thin sheet metal such as stainless steel that is rolled into the desired configuration, but it will be understood by those skilled in this art that die castings or extrusions may be employed without departing from the scope and intent of the present invention. One advantage in using the rolled construction is that it is easy to form a suitable fold or cavity 41 at the left side of the shank 38 formed just beneath the top flange 37 of the trim member for reasons which will be explained hereinafter.

As best seen in FIGURE 2, the side trim members 34 and 36 stop short of the front edge of the cooktop 22 and .this is done because of the presence of raised end caps 43 formed at each front corner of the cooktop for the sake of both rigidity and appearance as well as to insure that the end cap covers the contour of the front edge of th countertop of which there are about 90 varieties. It s also well to be able to close the clearance gap between the end cap 43 and the adjacent portion of the edge of the countertop 13, and this function is provided by a front extension trim member 45 that is'adjustably mounted in a longitudinal direction with re pect to the side trim member 34 or 36 by being inserted into the fold or cavity 4-1 as is best understood by comparing FIGURES 2 and 3. This ront trim member 45 is adapted to be formed down and under the front edge 19 of the countertop 13 and to be held in place by the use of a fastening means such as a wood screw 46 for insertion through the hole 47 in the end of the front trim 45. This front trim member 45 is of generally flat metal strip stock so that it is easy to bend about any particular shape that may be present on the front edge of the countertop such as a bull nose or the squared-elf design illustrated in the drawing. A closer look at the front trhn member 45 will divulge that the opposite edges 52 and 53 are creased and folded down at a slight angle to form reinforcement flanges for the hat strip material 45 and prevent warpage upon bending of the strip into the desired shape. Another advantage is that once the strip is bent the flanges at the bend flatten out and provide a weaker section at that point to give improved results.

In order to stabilize the front trim 45 and prevent its sidewise movement down-turned tab members 49 and 50 are formed along one edge thereof to be inserted into the gap between the end cap 43 and the adjacent edge of the countertop 13. These tabs are bowed or curved in a vertical direction as is best seen in FEGURE 5 so as to fit snugly into this gap and force the front trim sideways against the end cap 43.

t is recognized that while generally fiat front trim members 55 have been illustrated it is conceivable that preformed front trim members could be supplied with the range to take care of the majority of counter edge contours. This alternate design would still be telescopically arranged with respect to the side trim members 34 and 36.

Looking at the back corners of the cooktop 22 it will be appreciated that at each corner the vertical shank 38 of the back trim member 35 stops short of each end of the member so the rear ends of the side members 34 and 3:; may interlock therewith. Thus the flange 37 at each end of the rear trim 35 fits under the similar flange 37 of each side trim 34- and 36 and is interfitted with the fold or cavity 41 of the related side trim member.

Modifications of this invention will occur to those skilled in this art therefore it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed but that it is intended to cover all modifications which are Within the true spirit and scope of this invention as claimed.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A free-standing range comprising a range body that includes a combined cooktop and oven body wherein the coolrtop is provided with a plurality of surface heating means and the oven body is disposed directly beneath the cooktop, the range being adapted to be positioned in a kitchen cabinet and countertop structure, there being a slight gap between the cooktop and the underlying oven body, a side trim member assembled in said gap at each side of the range, said trim member including a wide top flange overlying the side edge of the coioktop and adapted to overlie the adjacent side edge of a notched counter-top, the trim member stopping short of the front extremity of the cooktop, a front trim member cooperating with each side trim member and forming an extension thereof, each front trim member being engageable at one end with the related side trim member and adapted to be formed over a gap between the side of the range and the adjacent edge of the counter-top, an edge of each front trim member including downwardly extending tab means adapted to be positioned within the last-mentioned gap so as to stabilize the front trim member, and fastening means provided for the other end of the front trim member and adapted to attach said trim member to the underside of the countertop.

2. A free-standing appliance comprising a body structure that includes a combined top cover and lower compartment, the appliance being adapted to be positioned within a kitchen cabinet and countertop structure, there being a slight gap formed in the body structure between the top cover and the lower compartment, a side trim member force-fitted into the said gap at each side of the appliance and including a wide top flange overlying the side edge of the cover and adapted to overlie the adjacent side edge of the countertop, the side trim member stoi ping short of the front extremity of the appliance, and a front trim member cooperating with each side trim member as an extension thereof and engageable at one end with the related side trim member and adapted to be formed down around the front edge of the countertop, an edge of each front trim member including downwardly extending stabilizing tabs adapted to be engageable with the side edge of the countertop, and fastening means adapted for attaching the other end of the front trim member to the underside of the countertop.

3. A free-standing appliance as recited in claim 2 wherein the side trim member is of generally T-shaped crosssection, there being a side-turned flange extending from the lower edge of the T, said side flange having a wedge portion for confinement the said gap between the top cover and the lower compartment.

4. A free-standing appliance as recited in claim 3 wherein each side trim member is of folded sheet metal construction there being a cavity formed under the head of the T-shaped cross-section by a folded-over head portion, the said one end of the front trim member being telescoped into said cavity.

5. A free-standing appliance as recited in claim 2 wherein each flont trim member is of generally flat strip stock with downwardly angled longitudinal side edges, one edge of the strip having a plurality of down-turned tabs of vertically bowed configuration that are adapted to form a tight fit in a gap between one side of the appliance and the side edge of the countertop.

6. A free-standing range comprising a range body that includes a combined cooktop and oven body wherein the cooktop is provided with a plurality of surface heating means and the oven is disposed directly beneath the cooktop, there being a slight gap in the outer walls of the range body between the cooktop and the oven, the range being adapted to be positioned in a kitchen cabinet and countertop structure, a trim member assembled in the said gap at each side and at the back of the range and including a Wide top flange overlying the edge of the cooktop and adapted to overlie the adjacent edge of the countertop, each of the side tri-m members stopping short of the front extremity of the cooktop, and a front extension cooperating with each side trim member and engageable at one end with the related side trim member and adapted to be formed down and under the front edge of the countertop, and fastening means provided for the other end of the front trim and adapted to attach said front extensions to the underside of the oountertop.

7. A free-standing range as recited in claim 6 wherein the two front corners of the cooktop are provided with raised end caps which extend back to the frontmost edge of the side trim members, each front extension having spring-biasing tab means adapted to be insertable into the gap formed between the end :cap and the adjacent edge of the countertop so as to press the front extension against the side of the range.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,599,322 6/52 Drain 4187 2,763,874 9/56 Drain 4--187 2,888,684 6/59 Ichenhower 4-187 JAMES W. WESTHAVER, Primary Examiner. 

1. A FREE-STANDING RANGE COMPRISING A RANGE BODY THAT INCLUDES A COMBINED COOKTOP AND OVEN BODY WHEREIN THE COOKTOP IS PROVIDED WITH A PLURALITY OF SURFACE HEATING MEANS AND THE OVEN BODY IS DISPOSE DIRECTLY BENEATH THE COOKTOP, THE RANGE BEING ADAPTED TO BE POSITIONED IN A KITCHEN CABINET AND COUNTERTOP STRUCTURE, THERE BEING A SLIGHT GAP BETWEEN THE COOKTOP AND THE UNDERLYING OVEN BODY, A SIDE TRIM MEMBER ASSEMBLED IN SAID GAP AT EACH SIDE OF THE RANGE, SAID TRIM MEMBER INCLUDING A WIDE TOP FLANGE OVERLYING THE SIDE EDGE OF THE COOKTOP AND ADAPTED TO OVERLIE THE ADJACENT SIDE EDGE OF A NOTCHED COUNTERTOP, THE TRIM MEMBER STOPPING SHORT OF THE FRONT EXTREMITY OF COOKTOP, A FRONT TRIM MEMBER COOPERATING WITH EACH SIDE TRIM MEMBER AND FROMING AN EXTENSION THEREOF, EACH FRONT TRIM MEMBER BEING ENGAGEABLE AT ONE END WITH THE RELATED SIDE TRIM MEMBER AND ADAPTED TO BE FORMED OVER A GAP BETWEEN THE SIDE OF THE RANGE AND THE ADJACENT EDGE OF THE COUNTERTOP, AN EDGE OF EACH FRONT TRIM MEMBER INCLUDING DOWNWARDLY EXTENDING TAB MEANS ADAPTED TO BE POSITIONED WITHIN THE LAST-MENTIONED GAP SO AS TO STABILIZE THE FRONT TRIM MEMBER, AND FASTENING MEANS PROVIDED FOR THE OTHER END OF THE FRONT TRIM MEMBER AND ADAPTED TO ATTACH SAID TRIM MEMBER TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE COUNTERTOP. 